Iraq Requests Helicopter Sustainment Support

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for aviation sustainment support, on-the-job maintenance training and maintenance advice and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 28, 2014.

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale to establish five years of contractor logistics support for its Bell 407, OH-58, and Huey II aircraft in support of the Iraq Aviation Command. This support will include maintenance support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, site surveys, life support costs, Quality Assurance Teams, U.S. Government and contractor technical, logistics, and engineering support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $500 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner. This proposed sale directly supports the Government of Iraq and serves the interests of the people of Iraq and the United States.

The Government of Iraq needs this logistics support, contractor maintenance, training, and technical services to maintain the operational capabilities of its aircraft.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require approximately five U.S. Government (USG) and 25 contractor representatives to travel to or reside in Iraq for a period of five years to establish maintenance support, on-the-job maintenance training and maintenance advice.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.